We’ve all watched pole vaulters compete at the Olympics but what about pole dancers?  The International Pole Sports Federation is pushing pole dancing as an Olympic sport by 2016.

Pole dancing has long been connected with strip clubs, not athletic clubs, but a growing number of people have discovered it’s a strenuous and sexy way to get in shape.

In recent years we’ve seen a growth of competitions where women  and even men  perform routines for prizes instead of tips.

On July 19 and 20, the IPSF even took their case to London with the World Pole Sport Championship where women and men competed for medals in both the singles and doubles pole dancing categories.

According to the Huffington Post, Natalia Tatarintseva of the Ukraine was the women’s singles champ, while Eugeny Greshilov of Russia was the top medalist in the male category and Australians Ruth Mansfield and Tiffany Downes won the doubles competition.

Timothy Trautman, the Executive Vice President of the IPSF, said getting pole dancing officially recognized as an Olympic sport is the only way for people to realize that pole dancers are incredible athletes.

There are people out there that believe pole dancers  have such grace and elegance that they absolutely belong in the Olympics. 

My dear, may have have the next pole dance?

More From 106.5 WYRK